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Jeanette Kilmer “Jeanie” Fitzgerald, of Milford, DE passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Bayhealth Sussex Campus, Milford. Jeanie was born in Milford, the daughter of the late Walter Kilmer and Jeanette Mabel (Griffith) Betts. She attended Milford High School where she played basketball, serving as captain of the State Championship team as well as played field hockey before graduating with the class of 1961. Following high school, Jeanie went to work as a telephone operator on the switchboard at DuPont’s in New York City, where she also did some modeling on the side. Later, she moved back to Delaware and worked for ILC in Felton, where she assisted with the production of the space suits worn by the astronauts who went to the moon.
In 1966, Jeanie married the love of her life, Gene Fitzgerald, and they moved to California. In the early 1970’s Jeanie and Gene moved back to their hometown to start their family and went on to purchase Kent and Sussex Inn in 1974. In 1989, they bought Park Place, operating both businesses until 1996, when they sold the Kent Sussex Inn. Jeanie continued to manage Park Place up until her death. She loved her family, and enjoyed sharing time with her grandchildren, which were the focus of her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Gene Fitzgerald in 2006; a brother Meredith Dean Betts; 2 sisters and brothers in law Gloria Jean and Robert Simmons and Barbara Elaine and Robert Lofland ; and her granddaughter Lilliana Jeanette Bryant;
She is survived by her son Christopher Fitzgerald and his wife Angela; her daughter Erin Spatz; 6 grandchildren Jacob Bryant, Aidan Spatz, Patrick Spatz, Connor Fitzgerald, Reagan Fitzgerald and Fletcher Fitzgerald; two great grandchildren Rowen Bryant and Ivy Bryant; a brother Keith Betts (Jan); a sister Marisa Pendleton (Bob); a sister-in law Mary Betts; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held from 11 am to 2 pm on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Avenue, Milford where services will be held at 2 pm. Entombment will be held at Milford Community Cemetery, Rt 113, Milford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you plant a tree in Jeanie’s name. Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at www.loflandandmcknatt.com.
